Hang in there

Still knitting, just don't have pictures with me at the moment. Will be back soon, summer is for fun.

Transformation

Transformation is what draws me to knitting. I seeing gorgeous things come from string and needles. I realized today that I like seeing others things change too. I have been busy thoroughly cleaning house, that is why I haven't had much to blog about. It is nice seeing the change in things, dark, damp under the sink, full of unknown stuff, to a space I feel like showing some one, "See how it looks under my sink". Yeah like that is going to happen. But is is nice knowing I don't have to think about it, if someone does look under there it is just like everyone's. It is still the cabinet under the kitchen sink, but it is now clean, neat, and I know what is under there.

I have even been going though my extensive stash. Extensive in that I have yarn from every era. Including orange acrylic. While I have used some old acrylic for great garter stitch rugs, I have more than I can knit with in 50 years. With out buying any more yarn. And it would be a pity to not buy any more yarn. Ever. So I have carefully selected a few skeins to release back into the wild, with hopes someone will enjoy them. LOL. While I can't always knit with the best stuff, I can be a little more selective. Sheep have been around a long time and I think at least a few will stick around.


So I feel freer and more relaxed, despite all the hours cleaning done and ahead. Cleaning still isn't my favorite occupation (duh) but I can handle it.

Chart or written

This blog title is linked to an interesting discussion on ravelry. It starts out as a discussion of the most difficult pattern ever and turns into a discussion of chart knitting versus written directions. When I started out I only knew about written patterns. Since I started knitting from charts, I have knit items I wouldn't have tried before. I have problems knitting from written patterns, i always get lost in the pattern. I could read my knitting, but couldn't follow with the directions. I had one pattern I would finish the knit lace rows, and when I got done with the purl rows I had to read my knitting to figure out what row I needed next. For every other row. It was only a dishcloth, but it took forever. I actually started a project from and old doily book, and charted the pattern before I cast on. When I got to rows that I thought would be to long to chart, I tried knitting from the written. My knitting really got hard. My theory is that written directions is more like some one telling me directions. I'm lousy at figuring out direction when some one tells me. But give me a map and I'm there. So any way...
Do you prefer Charts or Written directions? Any theories on why? 

Ocean

This lovely yarn is in the process of becoming my next shawl. I decided against the pattern in the picture for this yarn. I'm making the heartland lace shawl.  The caron spa is soft, but it is limp and splity. I think it is working good in this pattern though.  I also have a bunch of stuff that needs ends woven in. Any volunteers?

Hats

 Since this hat was sized to be close fitting, I was scared to try it. My gauge is funky, sometime it seems loose and tight at the same time. It turned out perfect. It fits snugly, but the pattern still gives room for stretch. The color is Rose Bisque, and the yarn is acrylic and wool.







This is a very stretchy hat. it will fit any where from a toddler to a child. The colors are very light. It has blue, yellow, green, and purple.